What is the East Midlands Councillor Development Charter?
The East Midlands Charter has been based on a national template, but written to reflect the culture of the region. It sets out a clear process for accreditation and a framework of standards of good practice for all councils, police and fire authorities across the East Midlands, to aspire to and achieve. The achievement of the standard will be recognised by an accreditation process and public acknowledgment of the success of the authority will be demostrated at an annual meeting/celebration event.
The purpose of the Charter is, therefore, a vehicle to improve the corporate performance of local authorities, through the development of its councillors. The structured framework helps enhance and hone member development.
Charter documents
Councillor Development Charter
Councillor Development Charter - Foreword
Councillor Development Charter - Charter Statement of Commitment
Councillor Development Charter - Charter Accreditation Stages
Councillor Development Charter - Charter and Charter Plus Guidelines with Minimum Reqs
Councillor Development Charter - Self Assessment template.doc
Why do we need it?
Local authorities in the region who are dedicated to meeting the needs of their communities must also be committed to developing their councillors to enable them to effectively engage in the modernisation of local government agenda has placed an increasing emphasis on an authority's need to rethink their approach to councillor learning and development and ongoing support to the councillor role.
What Charter support is available?
Most authorities have some form of support programme in place . However, the approach and levels of commitment and effectiveness vary. Below is a list of support available from East Midlands Councils:
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East Midlands Councillor Development Charter Assessor Training - this training is chargeable but deducted from the overall cost once the authority achieves the charter.
Who is it for? Councillors and officers whose authorities have signed up to the EM Councillor Development Charter
Aims:
to understand the requirements of the charter in greater detail covering both the standards and the various roles
to understand the processand principles of assessment through discussion and practical group case study
to describe the charter process from sign up to achievement and benefit from examples of templates already produced
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Action plan support and guidance
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Communications and presentations within the authority to relevant stakeholders.
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Via the Councillor Development Network - visit here for more information.
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Member Development Political Skills Audit Tool - visit here for more infomation.
Who has signed up to the Charter in the East Midlands and who has achieved it?
In the East Midlands 13 authorities have achieved the Councillor Development Charter and 21 have signed up to it. Please see below for details of which authorities.
Councils signed up to Councillor Development Charter
Councils achieved Councillor Development Charter
Charter Plus
Charter Plus was rolled out during 2009 as an optional, further level that builds on the main charter requirements. It is intended for councils that have already been awarded the charter and want to continue to grow and develop. This provides an additional challenge within a nationally recognised framework to further improve the member development and support arrangements.
It reflects the growing interest in the wider member development debate. It challenges councils to make further achievements in terms of councillor support, promoting local democracy as well as in their approach to member training.
With regard to the four elements of the charter the specific differences from the standard charter are outlined in the 'Councillor Development Charter and Charter Plus minimum requirements' document listed above under 'Charter Documents'. An overview of the differences can be accessed below:
Councillor Development - Charter Plus - the key differences
How much does it cost?
The investment per authority is only paid once the authorirty has achieved the Charter standard. The cost, which includesall assessment activities as well as ongoing support and advice, is £999.00 + VAT.
Councils are expected to maintain good practice and demonstrate improvements since achieving the Charter, therefore reaccreditation will take place within a minimum of 3 years.
More information
To access the above support, or for further information about the Councillor Development Charter, please contact Lisa Butterfill at lisa.butterfill@emcouncils.gov.uk on 01664 502643 or Moira Hunt at moira.hunt@emcouncils.gov.uk on 01664 502636.